Attending the SNA ANC 2023 conference in Denver is exciting, but can also be daunting. This article will provide you with tips so that you are fully prepared to make the most of the SNA conference 2023!
First, a few frequently asked questions.
What is SNA ANC?
The professional association for those in the field of school nutrition is the School Nutrition Association (SNA).
Each year, SNA puts together the Annual National Conference (ANC), where school nutrition professionals from all over the country gather to learn, network, and reenergize.
This year, the theme is “Reach Higher”, focused on reaching for help and resources to help grow your program.
Where is SNA ANC 2023?
SNA ANC will be in Denver, Colorado!
The event will take place at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.
When is SNA ANC 2023?
The SNA Conference 2023 will be July 9-11, 2023
What kind of activities are at the SNA Conference?
So many! Here are some of the major ones.
General Sessions
All attendees gather for general sessions, and a keynote speaker delivers an inspirational and educational message.
Education Sessions
During education sessions, multiple smaller classes are offered from a wide variety of topics. Attendees get to choose which classes they want to attend.
Exhibit Hall
Attendees have the opportunity to visit hundreds of booths, where industry partners are ready to talk to you about their products, services, and resources.
Culinary Demos
Watch chefs prepare school meals and learn a new recipe, technique, or inspiration!
Tips for attending SNA ANC 2023
Tip #1. Plan travel arrangements early.
There’s nothing worse than calling hotel after hotel only to find that there’s no rooms available, and you’ll be staying miles away from the action. Be sure to make all your travel arrangements as early as you can:
Approval to Attend: Many districts have a protocol for getting approval to travel out-of-state. If you’re unsure, be sure to check with your district to see what they require.
Conference Registration: Register for the conference early. The earlier you register, the better the pricing.
Hotels: There are several hotels surrounding the Convention Center that are offering conference rates; however, they book fast. Also keep in mind that you cannot book your hotel room at a conference rate until you register for the conference. If paying by credit card, you also need to complete a credit card authorization form two weeks prior to arrival.
Flights: There are different recommendations for how early you should book a domestic flight to get good pricing, but everyone agrees not to wait less than a month before your flight. Keep an eye on the prices and book when the price is reasonable.
Driving: If driving, make sure you research your parking options before you go. Many hotels charge for parking, so you’ll want to be prepared.
Tip #2. Prepare for the high altitude
Dehydration is a real concern at high altitudes. So drink plenty of water the days leading up to SNA ANC at Denver, hydrate during your flight, and carry a water bottle with you at all times.
If you drink alcohol, do so cautiously. Alcohol has a more inebriating effect at higher altitudes.
Also, the lower oxygen levels make physical activity more difficult, so don’t overexert yourself. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to get from place to place and rest if you’re feeling tired.
Finally, if you’re really worried about altitude sickness, speak with your doctor about it to see if preventative medication is appropriate.
Tip #3. Wear comfortable shoes.
My first ANC, I presented a poster session and wanted to look professional, so I wore heels. Not a great plan!
The conference center is massive, so even if your hotel is close by, you’ll be walking A LOT.
At previous ANCs, I’ve hit 20,000 steps in a day, so make sure your shoes can keep up!
Tip #4. Pack layers.
The average temperature in Denver is 92°F in July; however, conference centers are notorious for blasting the AC, making it hard to focus in education sessions. Pack a cardigan or light jacket that you can slip on and off.
Tip #5. Bring business cards.
The vendors typically use a scanning system, so they can scan your badge to get your contact info. However, there will be many opportunities to network with other attendees, so you’ll still want to keep a few business cards on hand to exchange contact info.
Hot tip: when you get a badge, put a few business cards in the back of your badge holder for easy access.
Tip #6. Bring a reusable bag.
Denver stores are required to charge you $0.10 per paper or plastic bag to encourage you to bring your own.
If that doesn’t bother you, a reusable bag also comes in handy when visiting booths in the exhibit hall to carry your samples. However, note that you cannot bring a roller bag into into the exhibit hall.
Tip #7. Review the conference materials and plan your must sees.
It’s easy to get caught up in the exhibit hall or chatting with a colleague and suddenly realize you missed an education session you really wanted to attend.
I also think it’s impossible to visit every booth in the exhibit hall.
Be sure to review the conference materials ahead of time and plan out which sessions, events, and booths you don’t want to miss. Then, make a plan for making sure you see them all!
Tip #8. Come hungry, but pace yourself!
The exhibit hall is packed full of food samples, so you’ll want to save room for all that “research”.
But beware that you can easily fill up if you don’t pace yourself. As much as I hate food waste, I had to learn that it’s fine to take a bite or two and discard the rest.
Tip #9. Review your code of conduct before leaving for SNA ANC 2023.
Every district must have a code of conduct that governs what you can accept from vendors.
Since each district’s code of conduct varies, vendors don’t know what you can and cannot accept, and SNA ANC is a time they like to treat their customers to something special, like giveaways or a meal.
Be sure to review your district’s code of conduct before you go so that you remain compliant.
Tip #10. Stretch outside your comfort zone.
Use this as an opportunity to challenge yourself professionally. Take a class about a topic that intimidates you, strike up a conversation with a stranger, or ask a burning question during or after a session.
The SNA Conference 2023 is the perfect opportunity to “Reach Higher” and grow into a stronger school nutrition professional.
Summary
With these 10 tips, I hope you are ready to enjoy SNA ANC 2023 in Denver! The SNA Conference 2023 is sure to be a wonderful experience. I’ll see you there!
